laminectomy Laminectomy surgery to remove a herniated lumbar disc is the procedure most commonly used to relieve these conditions, and the technique is as follows:

• An incision is made vertically along the midline of the back, usually about 5 cm long.
• They are separated from the bone the muscles lining the back of the spinal canal, also known as sheet.
• Opens a small window on the side of the vertebra that covers the herniated disk.
• It identifies the nerve root and carefully puts aside to reveal the bulge that forms the herniated disk.
• The disc material is removed and then the wound closed in anatomical layers restoring its original shape

Main disadvantages of this technique:

The period of postoperative recovery is quite long. The patient takes 3 to 5 days to get out walking, and are discharged from 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Most patients experience permanent pain relief, but the total recovery time of motor function may vary, and sometimes may even be necessary rehabilitation therapy. The rest can vary from 2 to 4 months and could even in some cases up to 6 months.

On the other hand, handling of nerves occurs in some patients the so-called epidural fibrosis, that is defective internal scar that would compress the affected nerves or even more than what compressing disk herniation. This is only a percentage of case and there is no way of knowing which patient will develop this dreaded sequel, also may lead to a destabilization of the spine at the level operated by the removal of part of the operated vertebrae This means that in some cases required the placement of metal plates and screws to fix or stabilize the spine at the surgical site.